Postnatal Exercise Advice

FLATPACK YOUR ABS
2009-11-01

After birth the muscles are weak and overstretched and become the dreaded jelly belly! Here are our tips for improving your abdominals and achieving a flatter tummy.

BURN OFF: Target the “Baby fat” by feeling breathless, hot and sweaty using low-impact activities. Lots of sweating but avoid any jumping activities until you are at least 6 months postnatal. Up the ante by walking with your buggy at a brisker pace or find a hill. If you can speak a full sentence comfortably then you are not pushing hard enough!

SWITCH ON: Sitting, standing and walking with an upright spine will activate your deep abdominal muscles and pelvic floor. Not only will this make you look slimmer, it will help to flatten your tummy. Gently drawing in the tummy before lifting will remind these muscles to work more effectively. Slumping and slouching will switch them off.

TIGHTEN: Old-school sit ups are not advisable as they work the superficial muscles down the front of the body and not the deeper abdominal muscles which give you a smooth flat tummy with no lumps and bumps! To shorten the overly-stretched abdominal muscles check out the exercises Abdominal Corset, Tummy Tuck and Bottoms Up in the Pushy PT section in the Pushy Members area at pushymothers.com.

EAT WELL: Even though you want your tummy to disappear this is not a time to go on any crash diets. Your energy reserves have been depleted during pregnancy and labour so a healthy balanced diet is essential. Don’t mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating more than you need – drink plenty of water. If you are breastfeeding you are told not to diet but this does not give you permission to eat everything!

KEEP AT IT: This is an all day workout! No excuses please. As you’re working the muscles at a very low level you should be able to achieve this the minute you get out of bed, until you lie down again at night. You just have to ensure that you don’t get slummy with your tummy and maintain a great posture all day.

INSTANT RESULTS: By lifting up and out of your waistline you can loose two inches automatically so keep this uplifted feeling throughout your day and you’ll look and feel great. Before long the muscles will be tuned enough that they just do it!